Dexter, Missouri - A special ceremony paid tribute to veterans who served in Vietnam was held on Sunday afternoon.   A heat advisory was in place, but that did not stop the hundreds who came out to pay their respect and honor those who fell in combat so many years ago.

The ceremony opened with the Presentation of Colors by the American Legion Kenady-Hanks Post #59 Honor Guard followed by the Pledge of Allegiance by Boy Scout Dylan Long, son of Misty and Tony Long of Dexter.

Members of Dexter High School band performed our National Anthem followed by Lauren and Caroline Powers who sang God Bless America.  They are the daughters of Chuck and Felicia Powers of Dexter.

Rev. Justin Sponaugle performed the Invocation as well as the Benediction.

Mayor Joe Weber had the honor of hosting the ceremony and introduced Brigadier General (Ret.) Charlie Kruse, featured keynote speaker for the event.

Kruse quoted two songs that he felt reflected the memory of the soldiers who lost their lives fighting for our freedom.

The first song he quoted was by Tim McGraw called "If You’re Reading This".  “If you are reading this my Mommas sittin’ there.  Looks like I only got a one way ticket over here.  Sure wish I could give you one more kiss.......”

"Many men did get a one-way ticket to Vietnam, 58,220 men and women never returned to give their momma a kiss," commented Kruse.

The second song Kruse quoted was by the Statler Brothers called "More Than A Name on A Wall". 

"I saw her from a distance as she walked up to the wall.  In her hand she held some flowers as her tears began to fall.  And she took out pen and paper as to trace her memories and she looked up to heaven and the words she said were these....., "Lord my boy was special and he meant so much to me and oh, I'd love to see him just one more time You see.  All I have are the memories and the moments to recall.  So Lord could you tell him he's more than a name on a wall."

Kruse recognized veterans and especially Vietnam Veterans in the audience as they were asked to stand or waive to the crowd.  He also spoke of numerous volunteers who helped bring The Moving Wall to Dexter.

He finished by saying how proud he was to live in Dexter and how proud and honored he was to speak today and be a part of the ceremony.  

The Stoddard County Honor Guard performed a Gun Salute followed by Adam Clark and Cody Jinkerson who performed Taps together.

“It is the ultimate honor to be on the wall,” commented one participant.  “The Wall is a place to heal and reflect. I am so glad it came to Dexter, so proud of our community.”

Many spectators were moved to tears today.

Those on the wall from Stoddard County are Sgt. Jimmie Joe Butler and WO John David McCluskey of Bernie; SP4 Jesse Ray Huges, Jr., and PFC Carroll Leon Welty of Bloomfield; Sgt. Curtis Dean Eskew, PFC George Alan Kiger, SP4 Donald Richard Mayberry, LCpl Kenneth Wayne Parker, 1Lt. and George Kenton Sisler of Dexter.